Once a doyen of African governments, Taiwan is today diplomatically isolated on the continent. This book examines gaps in the literature on Taiwan-African relations by historicizing Taiwan’s seven-decade relationship with Africa to address Taiwan’s role in the growth and development of the continent.

While China’s role and place in Africa has garnered a lot of scholarly attention—be it praise or condemnation—not much has been written about Taiwan’s role and place on the continent even though Taiwan was a major player and partner in Africa’s quest for growth and development. From the 1960s to 1971, more African countries had diplomatic relations with Taiwan as opposed to China. But less than five decades after the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 was passed, there has been a reversal of fortune in terms of supremacy and diplomatic recognition with only one country, Eswatini, recognizing Taiwan as an independent country. Taiwan in Africa: Seven Decades of Certainty and Uncertainties, edited by Sabella Ogbobode Abidde, addresses gaps in academic literature regarding Taiwan’s engagement with states and societies on the continent. This book examines international political economy, international security, the history of modern Africa, and geopolitical pressures and conflict. It addresses Taiwan’s early engagement with the continent and the geopolitical and economic considerations that influenced African governments in their decision-making vis-à-vis their relationship with Taipei.

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

List of Abbreviations

Introduction: Taiwan in Africa: The Reversal of Political and Diplomatic Fortunes and the Possibility of a Resurgence in the Twenty-First Century

Part One: Taiwan in Africa: Then and Now

Chapter 1:Taiwan in Africa: The Early Years and Years of Developmental Assistance

Sabella Ogbobode Abidde

Chapter 2: Taiwan-Africa Relations: Exploring the Changing Trends

Felix Kumah-Abiwu

Chapter 3: Imperialism and the Taiwan Question: The Tragedy of the United Nations and Africa’s Helplessness

Felix O.U Oriakhi

Part Two: Diplomatic Recognition and Geopolitical Considerations

Chapter 4: Taiwan's Overture to Somaliland

Walters Samah

Chapter 5: Taiwan and Apartheid South Africa

Charmaine Pretorius

Chapter 6: Taiwan’s Non-formal International Engagement in the Absence of Formal International Recognition

Siphamandla Zondi

Part Three: Economic and Geopolitical Consideration

Chapter 7: China-Taiwan Geoeconomic Competition for Diplomatic Recognition: Battling for the Soul of Africa

Gorden Moyo

Chapter 8: Building Capacity in Africa: An Overview of Taiwan-African Relations, 1960-1971

Alecia D. Hoffman

Index

About the Editor and Contributors